DENVER — Several University of Colorado regents criticized aspects of the Boulder campus's Conference on World Affairs on Wednesday over what they described as its liberal leaning and insufficient efforts to address that.

John Griffin, the director of the conference that brings speakers and panelists to Boulder each year, appeared at the CU Board of Regents' University Affairs Committee meeting in Denver to discuss this year's conference, which ran April 9 to 13.

Board Chair Sue Sharkey, R-Castle Rock, asked him what is being done to ensure the CWA is diverse, including intellectual diversity.

"This is a challenge, I recognize," Griffin said. "I reckon it's the fact that the people that design our program are community and student volunteers. They're not CU employees, so there's not line-item accountability there the same way that might exist in other organizations. We are mindful and speak to our volunteers about the importance of having a range of perspectives."

During the fall semester, any interested campus or community members can join seven subcommittees that recruit new speakers and invite veteran participants to return. In the spring semester, the subcommittees draft panels. There is no application or review process to join the committee, and all are welcome to join, Griffin noted.

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Regent Heidi Ganahl, Republican at large, said she fielded various complaints, including from search committee members who said the speakers largely skewed liberal and that one committee member was removed because she was upset that Star Parker, a conservative activist, was not allowed to speak. Ganahl said she received similar complaints from two students, as well as complaints from speakers who elected not to attend because they felt they'd be among few conservative voices.

"I know you're doing a lot of good things there. How can we shift this more?" she said. "(The CWA) is getting labeled again. That wouldn't necessarily be a problem except that our leadership is saying that they've balanced out the CWA and now it's a Kumbaya, both-sides event."

She later added that the complaints were "a little disheartening."

Griffin said it's important to note that politics aren't relevant to every speech or content area in the CWA, but he would continue to remind organizers to be mindful of diverse perspectives and not advocate for specific perspectives. He also said the CWA is one of the events that brings the most ideological diversity to campus, and he wouldn't feel comfortable directing volunteers to bring specific speakers.

"If we're paying for (a majority) of this and we don't reflect the university's values and our policies, then we have a major problem and you should own it. I don't hear you owning it," Ludwig said. "I'm disappointed by your answers on behalf of my colleagues. I'm not overly concerned, but I do think we need balance."

Regent Glen Gallegos, R-Grand Junction, said he wanted to emphasize that diversity is far more than political or intellectual diversity.

Regent Irene Griego, D-Lakewood, said the CWA has not been on the board agenda, and the board has not discussed it as a full group. Griego said she felt uncomfortable because she didn't feel that she as a regent should dictate how the CWA is run.

Despite criticisms by some of the assembled regents, many of them thanked Griffin for his work and update to the committee. Regent Linda Shoemaker, D-Boulder, thanked Griffin for his efforts and for how he's "weathered the storm" in the face of changes to the conference.

During the meeting, Griffin noted that the CWA's attendance topped 70,000 again this year, speakers made more than 50 classroom visits and more faculty members participated on panels and as moderators. The conference also received more than 22,000 unique views by online visitors, and charitable giving nearly doubled, he said.

His ultimate goals, he said, are to see the conference be a recognized and valued feature of the CU experience, contribute to the lifelong learning of the community and enhance the reputation of the university.

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